Cowboy Style Hat

ABSTRACT

A cow boy style hat has a crown removeably attached to the brim by fasteners, enabling different combinations of crown and brim. Some embodiments employ a crown providing a hard protective shell combined with a soft brim to reduce force transmission from the brim to the crown. Other embodiments combine a soft crown with a soft brim. Still other embodiments allow interchangeability between various styles of crowns and brims, sometimes combining diverse crown and brim materials.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is co-pending with the following design applications:

-   -   “Hat” #29/507,662 filed Oct. 30, 2014 by Zina Denny, Docket         D1409Den     -   “Hat” #29/507,662 filed Oct. 30, 2014 by Zina Denny, Docket         D1408Den

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE AND/OR SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable

STATEMENTREGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of hats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hats serve a number of purposes for the wearer. Among these purposes are protection from the elements such as sun, wind and precipitation. Other protections may be from a hazardous work or recreational environment. Still other purposes may involve fashion or serving as a means of identification of the wearer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a cowboy style hat for a wearer, features a cowboy hat style crown. The crown has an inside near the head of the wearer and an outside. A cowboy hat style brim remove-ably attaches around the inside periphery of the crown.

In some embodiments, the crown employs materials to from a hard protective shell around the wearer's head, serving a similar function as a construction hard hat. Such embodiments may further include an adjustable suspension inside the crown to better fit the head of the wearer and add additional protection. Other embodiments also include straps such as chin straps or string straps.

In other embodiments the brim may be of a softer material than the crown. The brim may be designed to crush or distort to absorb, dissipate, reduce or mitigate the effects of an applied force. This action lessens the danger of an applied force being transferred in such a way as to act through the crown causing neck injury.

A removable brim is attached to the crown by complementary fasteners, including but not limited to, mating snaps, hook and latch, and buttons and button holes. This arrangement allows different crowns to be attached to different brims. This interchangeability enables combinations of colors, styles, materials and functions among other things. Example functions include water repelling or an open mesh for partial shade.

In still other embodiments, the hat has a band, configured to cover the area where the brim attaches around the inside of the crown, the band is disposed between the head of the wearer and the brim where the brim attaches around the inside of the crown. The band folds over the complementary fasteners to protect the head of the wearer from the fasteners such as mating snaps. The band can be attached to the crown or brim and positioned to allow access to the fasteners during attachment and positioned over the fasteners when the hat is worn.

In yet other embodiments the edge of the brim has a stiffening member such as a metal, plastic or organic material cord that allows the user to shape the brim. The style and appearance of the hat can be changed by altering the shape of the brim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The summary above, and the following detailed description will be better understood in view of the enclosed drawings which depict details of preferred embodiments. Like reference numbers designate like elements. It should however be noted that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. The features, functions and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the claimed invention or may be combined in yet other embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the cow boy style hat with the crown separated from the brim.

FIG. 2 shows an inside view of the crown of the cow boy style hat where the brim attaches to the crown.

FIG. 2 also shows a sectional view of the brim revealing a stiffening member in the edge of the brim.

FIG. 3 shows the crown of the cow boy style hat when the crown forms a hard, protective shell.

FIG. 4 shows the inside of the crown with one type of adjustable suspension

FIG. 5 shows an example where the brim of softer, crushable material absorbs a blow reducing the transfer of the blow to the crown and thus the head of the wearer.

FIGS. 6A -6C show examples of various types of complementary fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that modification to the various disclosed embodiments may be made and other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a crown 200 of the cow boy style hat 100. The outside of the crown 210 is exposed, while the inside of the crown 220 (shown in FIG. 2) is adjacent the head of the wearer. A brim 300 attaches around the periphery 230 of the crown 200 by complementary fasteners 400. The fasteners 400 of FIG. 1 are mating snaps 410A and 410B. While FIG. 1 shows mating snaps 410A and 410B, it will be understood that the complementary fasteners 400 can also include, but are not limited to, hook and latch type fabrics or materials. Other examples of complementary fasteners can also include buttons and button holes and eyelets threaded together with a cord.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the brim 300. The brim has an upper surface 320 and an under surface 330. The inside of the crown 220 is clearly visible. In FIG. 2 the inside of the crown 220 is a soft surface, although other types of crown may have adjustable suspension. The brim 300 attaches to the inside periphery of the crown 240. The complementary fasteners 400 of FIG. 1 are visible in cross section in FIG. 2. Mating snap 410A on the brim attaches to mating snap 410B on the crown. The complementary fasteners 400 attach completely around the periphery 230 of the crown. This is in contrast to other hat designs such as baseball style hats where the bill or brim does not attach all the way around the crown. In FIG. 2 a band 500 covers the area where the brim 300 attaches to the inside periphery 240 of the crown 200. This band 500 can attach to the brim 300 or the inside of the crown 220 and fold out of the way during attachment or detachment between the crown 200 and brim 300. During use, the band 500 folds over the attachment area and is disposed between the attachment area and the head of the wearer. This reduces irritation to the wearer by the complementary fasteners 400 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 2 also shows a portion of the brim 300 in partial cross section. The outer edge of the brim 340 has a stiffening member 350. This stiffening member can be a number of materials including, but not limited to, metal, plastic or an organic material such as straw. Stiffening member 350 enables the user to fashion the edge of the brim 340 in a variety of ways. The stiffening member is chosen to substantially hold a shape when bent. The wearer can therefore shape the edge of the brim 340 and therefore the brim itself 300 to suit a particular style or use. Different uses may include protection from or more exposure to weather such as sun, wind, dust or rain.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the crown 200 of FIG. 1 that forms a hard, protective shell 600 for the head of the wearer. The hard protective shell 600 can be made of a number of different materials known to those in the protective head gear industry. In contrast to the traditional protective hard hat, the hard protective shell 600 of FIG. 3 has the distinctive cow boy hat style. Like the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 the hat of FIG. 3 can use similar or diverse materials for the brim 300 and crowns 200 or 600. Although not shown in detail, the hat of FIG. 3 also has a crown 600 detachable from the brim 300. The complementary fasteners are not visible in FIG. 3 but function in a similar manner to those of FIGS. 1 and 2. Note in FIG. 3 that some embodiments may include a strap. A number of different strap styles are possible. FIG. 3 shows a string strap 260 as one example.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the inside of the crown 600 of FIG. 3. The protective style crown of FIG. 3 can be equipped with a suspension 610. The suspension 610 is known to those in the protective head gear industry. The hard protective shell 600 of FIGS. 3 and 4 can also employ an adjustable suspension 620. The adjustable suspension 620 expands to allow the wearer to use warm head clothing in cool weather while allowing a snug adjustment when no head clothing is warn in warmer environments. For clarity, although present, the complementary fasteners of FIGS. 1 and 2 are not shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows the hard protective shell 600 of FIG. 3 attached to a brim 300 of material 310 softer than the hard protective shell 600. FIG. 5 depicts a blow impacting the front of the brim 300. If the brim 300 were of the same material as the hard protective shell 600, the force of the blow could easily be transferred through the brim 300 and to the hard protective shell 600. The leverage provided by a hard brim 300 could lead to serious neck injuries to the wearer. By employing a brim with softer material 310, the brim 310 is configured to distort or deform thus absorbing some of the energy of the impact and reducing a injurious transfer of force to the head and neck of the wearer. In some ways, the crushing or deformation of the brim is analogous to car bodies which are designed to deform while protecting the occupants of the passenger compartment. In some embodiments, since the brim 300 is detachable from the crown 200 (FIG. 1) a brim can be designed deform while absorbing impacts and then be replaced. In some embodiments a number of different strap types may also be attached to the crown 600. In FIG. 5 a chip strap 270 reduces the chance that the protective head gear will come off during a collision or fall.

FIGS. 6A through 6C show other embodiments of the complementary fasteners 400 described previously. Although only one set of complementary fasteners 400 are shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, it will be understood that multiple sets of complementary fasteners 400 are used around the periphery of the crown 200 and brim 300. FIG. 6A shows a button 420A and Button hole 420B securing the crown 200 to the brim 300. FIG. 6B shows an example of a hook 430A and latch 430B fastener securing the crown 200 to the brim 300. Hook and latch fasteners are also known by the trade name of “Velcro”. FIG. 6C shows eyelets 440A and cord 440B securing the crown 200 to the brim 300. The cord is woven through the eyelets. The cord can also be of various colors or designs to further add to the appeal of the hat.

Previous embodiments highlighted a hard, protective shell 600. The Cowboy Style Hat however can employ both a soft crown 200 and a soft brim 300. The types of materials available for both the crown 200 and brim 300 are numerous. The possible combinations of materials between the crown 200 and brim 300 are nearly endless. Examples of materials possible for the crown 200 and brim 300 include, but are not limited to, mesh, canvas, plastic, leather, straw, beaver and wool and felt. Thus, the crown 200 might be one type of material, while the brim 300 another type of material. Additionally, depending upon weather, fashion or whim, custom hats can be quickly assembled by varying materials, styles or colors.

Thus in operation, the various embodiments of the cowboy style hat described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 5 can be used in a variety of situations and for a variety of purposes. With the brim 300 detachable from the crown 200 or 600, a user or seller, may mix colors, styles and functions. A mixture of colors for example allows a shopkeeper to put together a wide variety of team or school colors from a small inventory of brims and crowns. In a work environment, different trades or crews can be identified at a distance by a distinctive color or style of brim. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the hard protective shell 600 can remain the same. The combination of a soft brim 310 together with a hard protective shell 600 reduces the risk of neck or head injury due to a blow to the brim.

In use, to remove a brim 300 from a crown 200 or 600, the user folds back the band 500 to expose the complementary fasteners 400. The user, unbuttons, unsnaps or separates the hook and latch fasteners to separate the brim 300 from the crown 200 or 600. To reassemble a brim 300 to a crown 200 or 600, the user aligns the brim 300 with the inside periphery of the crown 240 and engages the complementary fasteners around the inside periphery of the crown 240. The user then folds the band 500 over the area of the complementary fasteners 400.

In applications where a hard protective shell 600 is not desired or required, the user can detach the brim 300 and attach a soft crown 200.

Glossary

Ref Number Name 100 Cowboy style hat 200 Crown 210 Outside of crown 220 Inside of crown 230 Periphery of crown 240 Inside periphery of crown 260 String strap 270 Chin strap 300 Brim 310 Brim of material softer than crown Brim material configured to crush or deform 320 Brim upper surface 330 Brim under surface 340 Outer Edge of brim 350 Stiffening member in edge of brim 400 Complementary fasteners such as: Mating snaps Hook and latch fasteners Button holes and buttons Eyelets and cord 410A 410B Mating snaps 420A 420B Button and Button Hole 430A 430B Hook and Latch 440A 440B Eyelets and cord 500 Band (covers fasteners of crown and brim) 600 Hard protective shell 610 Suspension 620 Adjustable suspension

Although the hat has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments that do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this invention. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined only by reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 

I claim:
 1. A cowboy style hat for a wearer, the cowboy style hat comprising: a cowboy hat style crown having an inside near the head of the wearer and an outside; a cowboy hat style brim attached wholly around the inside periphery of the crown.
 2. The cowboy style hat of claim 1 wherein the cowboy hat style crown forms a hard protective shell about the head of the wearer.
 3. The cowboy style hat of claim 2 wherein the hard protective shell further comprises: suspension inside the crown, the suspension adjustable to fit the head of the wearer. the material of the brim being softer than the crown, the brim further configured to crush thus reducing transfer of force from the brim to the crown.
 4. The cowboy style hat of claim 1 wherein the brim comprises a material softer than the crown, the brim further configured to deform when the brim encounters a force thus reducing transfer of the force from the brim to the crown.
 5. The cowboy style hat of claim 1 wherein the brim is removable from the crown.
 6. The cowboy style hat of claim 5 wherein the brim is removably attached to the crown by complementary fasteners.
 7. The cowboy style hat of claim 6 wherein the complementary fasteners are mating snaps.
 8. The cowboy style hat of claim 6 wherein the complementary fasteners are hook and latch fasteners.
 9. The cowboy style hat of claim 6 wherein the complementary fasteners are button holes and buttons.
 10. The cowboy style hat of claim 1 further comprising a band, the band configured to cover the area where the brim attaches wholly around the inside of the crown, the band further disposed between the head of the wearer and the brim where the brim attaches wholly around the inside of the crown.
 11. The band of clam 10 wherein the band attaches to the inside of the crown.
 12. The cowboy style hat of claim 1 wherein the crown and brim are of different materials.
 13. A cowboy style hat for the head of a wearer, the cowboy style hat comprising: a cowboy hat style crown having an inside near the head of the wearer and an outside, the crown comprising, a hard protective crown shell; and suspension inside the crown, the suspension adjustable to fit the head of the wearer; and a cowboy hat style brim attached around the inside of the crown.
 14. The cowboy style hat of claim 13 wherein the brim comprises a material softer than the crown, the brim further configured to deform when the brim encounters a force thus reducing transfer of the force from the brim to the crown.
 15. The cowboy style hat of claim 13 wherein the brim is removable from the crown.
 16. The cowboy style hat of claim 13 wherein the brim is removably attached to the crown by complementary fasteners.
 17. The cowboy style hat of claim 13 further comprising a band, the band configured to cover the area where the brim attaches around the inside of the crown, the band further disposed between the head of the wearer and the brim where the brim attaches around the inside of the crown.
 18. The band of claim 13 wherein the band attaches wholly around the inside of the crown.
 19. The cowboy style hat of claim 13 wherein the crown and brim are of different materials; the brim further comprising a stiffening member in the edge of the brim enabling a user to shape the brim.
 20. A cowboy style hat for the head of a wearer, the cowboy style hat comprising: a cowboy hat style crown having an inside near the head of the wearer and an outside, the crown comprising, a hard protective crown shell; and suspension inside the crown, the suspension adjustable to fit the head of the wearer. a cowboy hat style brim attached around the inside of the crown; the brim comprising a material softer than the crown, the brim further configured to deform when the brim encounters a force thus reducing transfer of the force from the brim to the crown; the brim being removable from the crown; the brim being attached to the crown by complementary fasteners; a band, the band configured to cover the area where the brim attaches around the inside of the crown, the band further disposed between the head of the wearer and the brim where the brim attaches around the inside of the crown. 